Grain-separator



5.1". HATPIELD.

(No Model.)

GRAIN SEPARATOR.

No. 255,285. Patented M51. 21,1882.

74% ATTORNEYS N. PUERS. PhalvLichognpner. wnsnngxm Dv C,

Ulvrfr'ln l 4,'STATIS PATENT Ormea.

JAMES n. HATFIELD, on DUBLIN, INDIANA.

GRAiNsEPARAToR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 255,285, dated March 21, 1882.

Applicationled June 4. 1881. i (No model.)

Improvement in Gran-Separators; and I doherebydeclare that'the following is a full,

clear, and exact description ot' the construction and operation of the same, reference being had tothe annexed drawings, making a part of thisvspecitication, and to theletters and figures ol' reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 ofthe drawings is a representation of a vertical section of my grain-separator. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same, and Fig. 3 is adctail view. Fig. 4 is a partial detail in section. f

This invention relates to improvements in grain-separators; and it consists in the coirstruction and novel arrangement of parts, as hereinafter set forth, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the annexed drawings, theletter a represents a frame supportedon legs a', and provided with top and bottom end rails, a2 a3, slanting side rails, a, and side boards, ai. Extending lengthwise of this frame is a cradle, b, which is pivoted at its ends to the end rails or bearings, a2 a3, by journals b'.' This cradle is divided into boxes by the transverse partitions -w e x y e, each succeeding partition rising above the one preceding it. In the bottom ot' the cradle, just above each of these partitions or bulk-heads, and also just above the lower end, b2, ofthe cradle, is made a dischargeopening, b3. Arranged along the bottom,in slideways and under these openings, on the outside of the` cradle, is a slide-board, c, having apertures c placed at the same intervals as the openings b3. On the under side of this slide, over the apertures c', are located the inclined chutes c2, whereof the end chutes extend longitudinally and the intermediate ones transversely and alternately in different directions.

Within the cradle b the separatin g-screcnsare placed. Usually1 three screens, d cf, are employed, the iirst and third being double and the second single. The screen-frames are formed each with a longitudinal middle bar, g, and with arched or convex end bearings, g', forming the ridges of' the frames on which the screens or sieves are fastened. By this construction each screen is designed to have a convex forni transversely, the riseA being central and longitudinal. The double screens d and f have convex crossbars d andf, arched like the bearings g', secured tothe under side ot' the longitudinal bars of their frames a short distancewithin the end bars, d2 and f2, and to these cross-bars the under sieves ot' the double screens, when thus constructed, are secured. The double screen d, which is the shortest, is putin 'place with its upper end bearing against that of the .cradle its cross-bar d' against the partition or 'bulk-head w, and its end bar,

d2,'against the bulk-head o. The single screene is then put in place on screen d, its end bar, e2, bearing against partition x. On this screen c the third and largest one,j', is placed, its cross and end bars bearing against the bulk-'heads y and a,

The sieves are designed to be graduated in iineness from the uppermost, which is the coarsest, down to the bottom one. The convex shape given to the sieves prevents any ac'- cumulation of grain along the middle line and insures a thorough shaking and spreading during the oscillation ot' the cradle. The journals b ot the cradle b are located near the top, considerably above theiniddle horizontal plane ofthe cradle, so that nearly all of the sieves are below the central line of motion of the cradle. This gives to the cradlea pendnlous movement, and the sieves move in concave curves. In this way the grain is thoroughly sifted, and tvet notJ roughlyjostlcd about, for the grain on the upper side ofthe sieve is lifted without being thrown, and on the lower side it comes down without the sieve being pulled away from it. In this wa)r the grain is only aieoted by the rocking motion, and not the rising and falling ofthe various parts ofthe sieves; and hence has ample time to be thoroughly sifted, so that grain of different sizes are not driven ott' at the end ot' the screens, but are separated.

0n the frame, at the corners ot" the cradle, are 95 The division ot' the cradle by the partitions, and the corresponding relation in length ot' the various screens, is designed to provide an independent box for each separation, and by means ofthe slide and its spouts the discharge can be made into separate measures or receptacles.

Fastened to the opposite sides ot' the cradle, but near opposite ends, are brackets h and 7c, having eyes h and k', in which are hooked the ends ot' connecting'rods h2 and k2, the former leadingto the attachment-lug i, which projects from the upper chaff-screen frame and is provided with perforations for adjustment. The latter rod, k2, is pivoted to a gear-wheel, l, engaging a pinion on the end ofthe fan-shaft l.

The chaff-screen frame m is pivoted at its (nds above the cradle b, and isinclined in the opposite direction, as shown in the drawings. In this frame is seated the chaff-screen p,which is arranged in convex form on arched or npwardly-curved end bearings, g', in a manner similar to the screens ofthe cradle. The fan 'n is transversely arranged in its case q at the end ofthe frame over the lower end of cradle b. Geared to and situated above the fan-pinion is the toothed driving-wheel r.

In the top of the sides a5 of the frame are formed seats a6, in which rest the ends of the bottom strp,s, of the hopper, said strip being furnished with a series of holes, s2. The flaring ends of the hopper converge downwardly toward the bottom .s1/,which is placed a little below the lower edges of the aring ends of the hopper, and the sides of the latter are recessed at t', so that a slideway is formed above the strip for a slidebar, t, having alike number of apertures, t2, and provided at its edges with hand-purchases. The bottom s is provided with spouts sa on its under side,

leading from the holes s2 and opening above the chaff-screen in the direction from the fan. Into this hopper s the grain to be cleaned and separated is poured, and the supply to the screens is regulated by the position of the slide-bar t. The machine being putin motion, the fan n is turned, and at the same time the chaff-screen frame and the cradle are rocked or oscillated. The blast from the fan drives oithe chaiand dust, the grain falling through to the cradle, and -whatever small particles ot' dust or chad' pass through the chat-screeu are blown off below said screen and above the cradle. In the cradle the grain is separated and carried to the boxes, as already described.

By this machine it is designed that the grain shall be thoroughly cleaned and separated, the construction of the screens and their oscillating movement giving them a very rapid and perfect sifting action. The chaff-screen and cradle are well balanced and easily pnt in motion. By the rocking action the weight on each screen is distributed on each side of the axial line, electing a balanced condition, so

Athat the machine runs light under all circumstances. 'Ihe oscillatory motion given the' chaff-screen tosses the falling grain and chatt' about, thereby loosening and separating the particles and providing t'or the thorough action ofthe blast.

I am aware ot' a grain-separator having a series of screens, and ot' another having a rocking cradle; but in this latter the central line of motion is below the screens.

What I claim is- In a grain-separator, the combination, with the oscillatory cradle b, having partitions w ai 'v y z and discharge-openings b3, of the inclined doublearched screens d andf, the sin gle screen e, and the slide-board c, having apcrtures cand inclined chutes c2, substantially' as specitied.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

JAM ES F. HATFI ELD.

Witnesses:

ERIE LAMB, WILLIAM F. MEDsKER. 

